Resource Library

Best Practices for Net Metering System Capacity Limit

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments initiated its Cooperative Purchasing Program in 1971 with the basic objective of reducing costs through economies of scale created through volume buying. Local governments and agencies may place the following rider clause document in a contract to allow use of the the contract by members comprising the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Purchasing Officers' Committee. This template can be repurposed for other AHJ's use.

This profile showcases how one of the nation’s largest school districts improves its facilities and maximizes energy savings by using an existing tax-exempt master lease program to pay for a guaranteed savings performance contract.

There are prescriptive sets of building criteria as well as design recommendations to attain the benefits of improved building envelope performance, including thermal comfort, physical security, and energy efficiency. This set of papers from the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center include an overview of minimum code requirements for building envelopes as set out by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 as well as recommendations for exterior wall insulation and windows.

Minnesota passed legislation in 2013 that allows IOUs to apply to the PUC for a Value of Solar (VOS) tariff as an alternative to net metering. The Department of Commerce was assigned the responsibility of developing and submitting a methodology for calculating the VOS tariff. This 55 page document provides the methodology to be used by participating utilities in developing a Value of Solar rate tariff in Minnesota. It includes a detailed example calculation for each step of the calculation. Also visit the link in the Source section below to view the original statute and to see the timeline of activities pursued to develop the methodology, with links to many other documents including early versions of the methodology and stakeholder feedback.

A primary tenant of sustainability is that development must be commensurate with capacity. In terms of infrastructure, development should be directed to areas with existing infrastructure capacity, including roads, schools, waste water and drinking water systems, fire protection, parks, and recreation facilities. Adequate public facilities ordinances, or concurrency ordinances, overlay the zoning code or direct the rezoning and variance procedures to ensure that adequate investment in public facilities is made prior to development. Requiring concurrency between infrastructure development and new construction is an appealing option for planning officials because it prevents a community from being overwhelmed by growth.

Umpqua Bank's GreenStreet Lending program offers preferred rates for financing renewable energy systems for homes and businesses in Oregon, including solar PV and small wind systems. This resource is intended to serve as a model for community banks that are interested in launching a clean energy lending program. Visit the source link below to access the program webpage.

This resource provides an example of a county-level zoning ordinance that contains solar-friendly provisions, including setbacks and height limitations, to encourage maximum solar resource utilization.

This template document is inspired largely by the Arizona and New Mexico state graywater codes. This ordinance provides for a single statewide permit allowing all graywater systems that meet the requirements stated within. No inspection or fees are required. Tier 2 systems—ones that don’t meet all the requirements below—must be individually permitted and inspected. Tier 3 regulation is for high flow systems, which are subjected to intensive engineering and environmental review.

An excerpt from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's 2013 model interconnection procedures, providing guidance on requirements for customer insurance

An excerpt from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's 2013 model interconnection procedures, providing guidance on dispute resolution

An excerpt from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's 2013 model interconnection procedures, providing guidance on requirements for external disconnect switches

This model document was prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy by a working group comprised of state members of the National Association of State Energy Officials and the Alliance to Save Energy.This document is intended to serve as a planning guide for state and local emergency planners and supplement existing energy emergency management plans.

The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) provides independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on matters related to environmental justice. This 2013 report serves as an update to the 1996 NEJAC Model Plan for Public Participation, which outlined critical elements for conducting public participation and identified core values and guiding principles for the practice of public participation. It is expected that this document will serve as a guide for not only federal agencies, but for alls takeholders who are engaged in public participation efforts and who seek to meaningfully engage environmental justice stakeholders in decision-making processes.

A 4 page excerpt that Summarizes the commonalities of the 4 Model procedures CA Rule 21, SGIP, MADRI, and IREC for interconnection and specifically addresses system size limit.

The purpose of Bill 19-715 is to amend the Retail Electric Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1999 to allow for the creation of Community Energy Generation Facilities, Subscriber Organizations, and for the credits and other benefits to beappropriately distributed. This bill provides model language for states that are interested in proposing legislation that aurthorizes community solar ownership models.

Local governments have the power to fight childhood obesity and improve community health by passing complete streets policies that foster streets safe for active travel. This Model Local Ordinance on Complete Streets from NPLAN is intended to assist localities in making streets safe, comfortable, and convenient for everyone. NPLAN has also developed a Model Local Resolution on Complete Streets. The model resolution encourages local agencies to approach every street project as an opportunity to make streets safe and welcoming for all users, but it is more exploratory and less directive than the model ordinance.

The Iowa Department of Administrative Services launched the Iowa Energy Bank that leverages a state-sponsored revolving loan fund to provide public facilities with the capital necessary to implement cost-effective energy projects that will save money, improve buildings, and enhance local economies. No upfront capital is needed and loans are repaid by using energy bill savings. The first hyperlink provides a brief program overview and the second hyperlink displays the program guidelines.

The California Energy Commission developed a 1% interest loan program for public entities in California to implement clean energy projects. This resource provides a program overview and links to the application packet. This program intended to serve as a model for public agencies that are contemplating implementing a low interest loan program.

In 2011, Jefferson City became the first city in Missouri to adopt a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) ordinance. The program provides property owners with 100% financing of up-front costs for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This resource provides model language for city or county-level policymakers that are considering introducing an ordinance to allow for PACE financing.

This resource provides an example of a solar-friendly municipal general planning provisions that encourage building and subdivision lot orientation and tree plantings that maximize solar access.

This model ordinance protects solar access through setbacks and provisions for solar designed to ensure that shadows at a northern property line don’t exceed a certain height, depending on the zone in which the property is located. In addition, property owners can apply for a solar access permit for protection from shading by vegetation.

This resource provides a program overview of a municipal utility-sponsored community solar program. SMUD's SolarShares program lets its customers enjoy the benefits of solar electricity whether they own or rent. For a fixed monthly price SolarShares credits a customer's monthly bill for solar electricity produced on a local "solar farm." Visit the source link below to access the program webpage.

Sacramento's zoning code contains a provision requiring the planning commission or zoning administrator to consider energy conservation issues, including adequate orientation for maximum solar access. Additionally, the code provides a height limit exception for solar energy systems on top of buildings.

Local governments that operate their own vehicle fleets can help lead the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in their communities. One initial step to greening government fleets may include adopting a resolution expressing support of incorporating ZEVs into fleets. The following example is adapted from the Metropolitan Energy Center and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition Electrify Heartland Plan.